The quality of water used in brewing coffee plays a crucial role in determining the taste, aroma, and overall enjoyment of the final cup. According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), water isn’t just a neutral ingredient but an active agent that can significantly influence coffee’s flavor extraction. The SCA has developed a set of standards for water quality, know as the SCA Water for Brewing Standards, to help to achieve the best possible brew. These standards help create a balanced and flavorful cup of coffee by specifying acceptable levels for key water characteristics, such as odor, chlorine, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium hardness, alkalinity, and pH.